Redcar Races

An eight race card, made it a long day. Only one of the winners was favourite.

The 2:20 had two non-runners. Angel Palanas, the favourite led from the start with the rest chasing. Jorvik Prince was held up by Sam James, two furlongs out he started to make headway along with Dusty Bin. One furlong out Jorvik Price started to hang badly to the left keeping on at the same pace but Dusty Bin took the lead, passing Angel Palanas who kept on  at the same pace. Dusty Bin, trained by Kevin Ryan won by 2 1/4 lengths. Kevin Ryan had 2 winners at this meeting and a third.

In the 3:25 Miningrocks, from a poor draw, took a keen hold, quickly being switched to the left rail. Ger O'Neill kept extending the distance between himself and Ronya, ridden by Dale Swift, who gave chase. Over three furlongs out Devious Spirit, who had been in mid division, had a change of pace moving up the field. With one furlong to go Ronya found something extra that Miningrocks and Devious Spirit lacked. Ronya beat Devious Spirit who finished second by 1 3/4 lengths and Miningrocks by 4 1/2 lengths. These three horses were well clear of the rest of the field.
This was a selling stake. The winner, Ronya, was auctioned but not claimed. Devious Spirit was claimed by Iain Jardine for £6000.

I'm not sure when my next update will be but I will keep my twitter updated.

Doncaster Races

There was a high class of racing yesterday, with tricky fields and great finishes. A day when there were no favourite winners.

The first race with its huge field created some problems for the punters, with the favourite finishing  17th, Mysterial under jockey Phil Dennis took a quick lead just ahead of Ready, ridden by apprentice jockey of the year Josephine Gordon. However coming into the final 3 furlongs horses, who had been held up, towards the back of this large field started making headway. Laurence and Banditry two horses who managed to give  chase were joined one furlong out by American Artist. With one furlong to go and four horses in contention, the slightly hampered Banditry was beaten by a head by Laurence trained by Luca Cumani. American Artist was third and Sennockian Star fourth, the first four horses were reasonably clear of the rest of the field.
After the first race the going officially changed from good to good to soft.

The big race of the day (a class one), was very difficult, obviously all the horses had potential to win. Rivet, trained by William Haggas, set the pace, all other horses closely grouped giving chase. The favourite Yucatan was held up and tried to make headway 3 furlong out as did many others. Yet Rivet was too far clear and was allowed to quicken his pace eventually been ridden well clear by 1 3/4 lengths. The field was strung out. I personally found Yucatan and The Anvil very disappointing. The Anvil was never really in the running and weakened with two furlongs to go, a contrast from the last run at Newmarket where he finished third.

Thanks to Josephine Gordon for having a selfie with me. Next update will be after the meeting on Monday 24th October at Redcar.  

Redcar Races

Unfortunately the day involved a slightly injured jockey, the realisation that winter will soon be upon us and a super cute selfie with Jim Crowley.

The 3:15 created the opportunity for problems and much competition due to such a big field. With all horses so close together it resulted in positions changing rapidly. Two furlongs out was a big milestone for 2 reasons, the front of the group had Wicked Powell taking charge of the race and Whirl Me Round making progress up the field. At the back of the field, regrettably, Kieran O'Neill became unseated then sadly trampled by Outfox. Luckily O'Neill was fine and able to ride in the next race as he had no serious injuries. Meanwhile at the front of the race it was close between Wicked Powell, Whirl Me Around, Mazyoun and The Wagon Wheel. First place going to Wicked Powell by a neck, Second Whirl Me Around and a dead heat for third between Mazyoun and The Wagon Wheel.

The 3:30 had the trackers coming out on top after having Convey leading for most of the race with  the rest of the field giving chase. Two furlong out Convey was put under pressure by Certificate who came storming along one furlong out,  the favourite Latharnach ridden by James Doyle was driven clear and swiftly kept on beating Certificate into second place by 1/2 a length.

Father Bertie finished well having made all, after being placed frequently from his last few runs. The  4:25 produced success for jockey David Allan and trainer Tim Easterby.

Thanks Jim Crowley for the selfie, taking my total to 49 selfies now.